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Charity begins at home for generous Steamers |
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Written by The Generous Fan in the Stand
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Thursday, 23 August 2007 |
The Bay of Plenty Rugby Benevolent Society continues to support worthy causes around the country.
After giving Northland only their fourth Division 1 victory since 2002, the Society was even more generous on Sunday.
Manawatu was the grateful recipient of its first victory since returning to Division 1. It warmed my heart to see those happy faces in Palmerston North.
Each week, this fan is finding it harder to discover the positives in the performance of the Steamers.
I'm not so much scraping the barrel as taking a hammer and chisel to it.
Firstly, Lance MacDonald had a good game. He showed some real pace and had his hands on the ball many more times than when he was stuck on the wing.
Secondly, we scored a try after the final hooter instead of conceding one.
Lastly, our shirts are more pleasing to the eye than Manawatu's green monstrosities.
So where did it all go wrong for our season? (I know, win our remaining games and we can still make the top-eight).
Maybe we need to look back a few months and examine the Bay's preparation.
While other provinces were making their plans for the season we were still trying to find a coach.
Now we are playing like a side thrown together at the last minute, with stuttering set pieces and a backline with no moves and no invention. Contrast this with Manawatu, who despite a lack of possession, managed to slice us open for tries.
Our attacks were hopeful, perhaps hopeful that Manawatu would get bored with tackling as we meandered sideways back and forth across the field.
Our lack of coaching foresight has been combined with a serious lack of player recruitment.
As the stars of 2004 have departed, we have gone for a youth policy.
While this is of course admirable, it is not the route to short-term success - or even long-term success if the Bay's form leads to these young players missing out on Super 14 contracts and being tempted to other unions.
Our tight-five has shown a severe lack of depth with the injuries to Ben Castle and John Pareanga.
Saturday afternoon sees Otago visit Blue Chip and my anonymity will be threatened if I am the only fan in the stand. So please turn up and make some noise, the team needs your support more than ever.
I expect to see the cheerleaders named in the backline, at least they have some planned moves. Maybe we also need that big hairy guy back on the sideline.
And if it all turns to custard, you can always claim your blue and gold scarf marks you as a lifelong Otago fan.
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